. >> hillary clinton called mandela a champion for justice. harry reid writes in a way man dell yafs both the george washington and abraham lincoln of his country. >> jon: we have to make him into a white guy somehow? is that it? how would people understand the references? he's like george george except not at all. the former south african president got props from less expected figures. >> newt gingrich called mandela one of greatest leaders of the lifetime. >> jon: ted cruz released a heart felt statement would be news whether mandela died or in the. [ laughter ] it's not news that people are rushing to praise man dwreal but what is news is the reaction to that praise. >> you wrote a facebook page and put out a statement praising nelson man dwreal a man you supported early on and then were surprised by some of the reaction you got. this clench fist murdering guerrilla warrior does not deserve respect. >> i was surprised by it. christa posted my statement on her facebook page and amazed at some of the intensity some of whom came back three and